Much-Needed Fresh Ideas

Boullier was working for Lotus until very recently, and it's unusual to see a team principal being allowed to switch teams so quickly. Normally, a clause requiring a period of gardening leave would be written into his contract.

The rapidity of his move means Boullier's head will be full of everything Lotus have done over the winter, including at least some of the design secrets of the E22.

In addition, he's a different character to the other senior people at McLaren and he has had a lifetime of different experiences.

Successful Track Record

Boullier was installed as team principal at Renault in early 2010, overseeing two seasons in which the team finished a respectable fifth in the championship.

The team was renamed Lotus for 2012.

Their budget was small in comparison to the big teams, but for the next two years Lotus consistently challenged for podiums and race wins. Romain Grosjean matured into a competitive racer and Kimi Raikkonen looked like he'd never been away.

In both seasons they finished fourth, beating a "big team" on each occasion.

McLaren could do with a confidence boost after their wretched 2013, and Boullier is the man to provide it.